Well I thought I had things all figured out. The plan was to move to D.C. next summer and take up graduate deaf study classes at Gallaudet University. Some of those plans changed this summer. While taking a Deaf Culture class I learned that it really isn’t acceptable for a hearing person to teach American Sign Language (ASL) . I had actually heard this before but it was from a hearing person who taught ASL! So I didn’t give that line of thinking much clout. As it turns out, over the summer, I was taught the same rule of thought by two Deaf educators. I was totally bummed because teaching ASL in high school as a foreign language was something I was very passionate and excited about. Fitting in and being accepted by the Deaf community is much more important to me however, and if by taking on a teaching job I would be shunned by a community I want so much to be a part of what would be the point? So I had to rethink my plan. I decided I would apply for the MA Deaf Education program (more specifically, Family Centered Early Education) at Gallaudet. Bryan and I took a drive up to the school several weeks ago and I spoke with someone about the prerequisites I need. Bryan and I are getting used to the drive. We’ve made it several times this summer. Not a bad drive. After the meeting with the woman I feel as though I’m back on track.
I’m becoming more and more excited about the idea of being a Parent/Infant Specialist. At 31 years of age it’s nice to finally feel like I know what I want to do with my life. Or do I? A couple of weeks ago I was helping a professor of mine with setting up an Internet Bulletin Board. After that unsuccessful fiasco she asked me to help her find her class roster for the fall semester. She and I walked around the campus looking for the right department that could help her. When we would walk into an office she would sign to me what she wanted and I would tell the woman behind the desk. The woman would respond and my professor would look to me to translate. We were sent from department to department and in each office I acted as her interpreter. I can’t explain how good I felt. Just knowing that I was capable of such a task was an incredible feeling. Yeah, so guess what?! Now I’m wondering if I should become an Interpreter! Rather frustrating that I don’t have it all figured out.
There are a lot of pros to becoming an interpreter. For one, we wouldn’t have to move and leave our families behind. We’d save money. Community College is much cheaper than Gallaudet. We wouldn’t have to look for a house in D.C. We wouldn’t have to find a new school for the kids. Bryan wouldn’t have to look for a new job. The grandparents would be thrilled if we stayed. So why not go this route? Hmm, I just don’t know that I have the skills and ablities needed to be a good interpreter. I don’t know if I really want to be an interpreter. If I went to Gallaudet, I would graduate with a master’s. I would be emersed in the Deaf community. It would be exciting being in a new area. I could go on and on about the pros and cons to both options. I think at this point I’ve decided I will apply for grad school and see what happens. If I’m not accepted then the decision has been made for me..I do the interpreting program here. If I am accepted then Bryan and I need to decide what to do.